NBA Trade Rumors: Pau Gasol Seeking Extension, Not Trade

Pau Gasol, 35, intends to finish his career with the Chicago Bulls, despite reports that the team is actively shopping him ahead of Thursday’s deadline, per latest NBA Trade Rumors.

If the six-time all-star were to be traded before the deadline, he would be on a two-month rental to his new team before entering free agency in June. However, Gasol has resisted the idea of switching teams, according to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

“Bulls general manager Gar Forman has been discussing trades on several fronts involving Gasol, although some teams interested in Gasol, 35, worry that his love for Chicago could cloud his motivation in fully committing to a short-term stay for rest of season, league sources said,” wrote Wojnarowski in The Vertical.

Gasol is almost certain to turn down his player option of 7.4 million for the 2016-17 season, which effectively makes him a free agent. According to Yahoo, the former two-time NBA champion is open to the idea of taking a pay cut to remain in the Windy City.

Not playing for title contender…

The former Laker is averaging steady numbers this season, 17 points and 10.9 rebounds, for the struggling Chicago Bulls. In all honesty, Gasol deserves to be playing for a championship contender, especially when you consider how productive he’s been at the twilight of his career.

On the other hand, it’s difficult to question Chicago’s decision to shop the future Hall-of-Famer. The Bulls, with a 27-25 record, are barely clinging to the seventh seed in Fred Hoiberg’s first season as head coach. After Joakim Noah went down with a season-ending injury, it was obvious that the Bulls won’t be making too much noise in the postseason. In fact, Jimmy Butler is the only player in their ranks who has a secured place in the roster come next season, according to Bulls insiders.